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Monday, September 1, 2008
The famous nameplate will be used on a series of exclusive luxury cars, the first of which we’ll see in the form of a concept model in 2009, the year that Lagonda celebrates its 100th birthday. The concept car will lead to a production version that is slated to enter global markets in 2012. While the production Rapide is expected to continue as an Aston Martin, a new unique concept car will be unveiled at the Genera show next March.
Aston Martin will resume production of cars under the brand Lagonda
0 comments Posted by Qcist at 9:00 AM
The company intends to Aston Martin in the next few years to revive the legendary brand Lagonda, under which the British automobile manufacturer plans to produce a new line of cars. According to the publication Car with reference to the statement by the head of Aston Martin Ulrich Betsa (Ulrich Bez), the first model to appear Lagonda 2012.
Ulrich Betz said that the cars produced under the brand name Lagonda, will receive an excellent model of the exterior design of the exterior Aston Martin, and will not be a sports and luxurious and powerful sedan. More specific information on future machines Restored Lagonda at the moment are not reported. According to Betz, such cars will be sold in more than a hundred countries worldwide. Note that Aston Martin now sells its machines only in 32 countries.
Recall that mark Lagonda was founded in Britain early last century and after World War II joined the company Aston Martin. Under this brand of small print runs (no more than 600 copies) issued sedan, created on the base model Aston Martin, as well as various concept-retribution, to demonstrate to the international motor show.
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta gets a power upgrade to its standard 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine to 170 and 177 lb-ft of torque and the 2.0T engine is now only available in the GLI. Trim levels are renamed S, SE and SEL. The SEL receives body color front and rear valance while the S and SE gets black textured color. A number of options are available including a Cold weather package and sunroof on the S and a premium sound package on SE. Now standard on all trim levels is power recline.
The Jetta has long ranked as the lowest-priced, European-badged sedan in the U.S. It promised European road handling capabilities in a sedan body, for a decent price.
The new-generation Jetta remains the most affordable European-badged sedan in America, with a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price at introduction set at around $18,000. This is for a Value Edition model with manual transmission.
In comparison, a shopper would need more than $24,000 to get into a starting model of VW's larger sedan, the midsize Passat, and more than $26,000 to get into Audi's entry-level A4, BMW's 3-Series or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans.
The Jetta may have a European badge, but it's something of a "world car." Engineers from Volkswagen AG's German facilities developed the car, with input from VW of America Inc. based near Detroit. The new Jetta rolls off an assembly line in Puebla, Mexico, south of Mexico City. The Jetta's new automatic transmission comes from Japan, and the new engine is sourced from Mexico.
The Jetta has long ranked as the lowest-priced, European-badged sedan in the U.S. It promised European road handling capabilities in a sedan body, for a decent price.
The new-generation Jetta remains the most affordable European-badged sedan in America, with a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price at introduction set at around $18,000. This is for a Value Edition model with manual transmission.
In comparison, a shopper would need more than $24,000 to get into a starting model of VW's larger sedan, the midsize Passat, and more than $26,000 to get into Audi's entry-level A4, BMW's 3-Series or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans.
The Jetta may have a European badge, but it's something of a "world car." Engineers from Volkswagen AG's German facilities developed the car, with input from VW of America Inc. based near Detroit. The new Jetta rolls off an assembly line in Puebla, Mexico, south of Mexico City. The Jetta's new automatic transmission comes from Japan, and the new engine is sourced from Mexico.
A good reason for VW of America's involvement: With annual Jetta sales in the U.S. traditionally around 140,000 to 150,000, the U.S. is Jetta's top market. (Europeans prefer VW's hatchbacks.) But by calendar 2004, U.S. sales of Jettas had fallen to less than 92,000. VW officials hope the new-generation Jetta lifts sales back up.
Many standard featuresAll Jettas come with a good amount of standard equipment such as air conditioning; cruise control; a tilt and telescoping steering wheel; power windows, outside mirrors and door locks; remote keyless entry and six airbags, including curtain airbags that deploy from the sides of the ceiling and two side airbags mounted in the front seats.
This helps explain why the Jetta's starting price is higher than that of some other small cars. For example, the Honda Civic, the top-selling compact car in the United States, started around $13,000 for a 2005 sedan, and Chevrolet's new-for-2005 Cobalt compact sedan started at less than $14,000 for a sedan when the new Jetta was introduced.
The 2005 Civic sedan did not offer curtain airbags, and these bags were optional on the 2005 Cobalt. In addition, the Jetta is one of the few small cars to include a telescoping steering wheel to help drivers better position themselves in their seats.
But I still wish VW, which knows its Jetta has been a younger person's car, had a full complement of fun, optional features available. For example, there was no iPod integrator for this new Jetta at its launch, and buyers wanting a navigation system were told to wait until 2006.
Interior still a hallmarkThe Jetta's interior remains a standout. There's a sense of organization and craftsmanship, both in the layout of the controls and the use of materials, that isn't found in many affordable small cars. Even the new Jetta's ceiling has up-level, textured material like you'd find in a luxury car. And the dashboard's plastic covering doesn't look cheap.
Check out the glove box and you'll find it's lined with a soft, almost velvet-like material, and the owner's manual sits in its own, out-of-the-way slot.
Seats are supportive and well-designed for a lot of travel time. In fact, I liked the "leatherette" fake leather on the seats of one of the Jetta test cars as much as I liked the other seat coverings. The leatherette was perforated and had well-aligned stitching trimming the seats.
New base engineThe Jetta has a new, more powerful base gasoline engine. It's a 2.5-liter double overhead cam 5 cylinder capable of 150 horsepower, up considerably from the 115-horsepower 2.0-liter 4 cylinder that was in the previous Jetta. Torque has increased too, from 122 lb-ft to 170 lb-ft at 3750 rpm.
The change was needed to get the Jetta competitive in the compact sedan segment, where cars like the Nissan Sentra can generate 165 horsepower and 175 lb-ft at 4000 rpm from a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine.
The new-generation Jetta test cars had good get up and go as I merged into city traffic and onto highways. The extra "oomph" when I passed cars on two-lane roads was noticeable, too.
The transmission in the testers was the new 6-speed automatic—up from 5 speeds in the previous Jetta—and shifts were smooth, except when I used the shift-it-yourself Tiptronic mode and shift points could be noticed.
In addition, the Tiptronic had a mind of its own and regularly upshifted and downshifted for me even when I wanted sportier, later shifts.
If you really want to control the shifts yourself, opt for the 5-speed manual.
The gasoline requirement for the Jetta 2.5 is regular unleaded. The Jetta's 14.5-gallon fuel tank is larger than the 13.2-gallon tanks in the Civic and Corolla. The larger tank is needed, since the Jetta weighs a few hundred pounds more than the two competitors and doesn't have as high a fuel economy rating.
Indeed, the test 2005 Jetta 2.5 model with automatic transmission was rated at 22 miles a gallon in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway, or a combined 26 mpg, which is about mid-pack among compact cars.
VW's carryover 100-horsepower 1.9-liter inline turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine will be in the new Jetta line, too, officials said. It was expected to have much better fuel economy rating of a combined 40 mpg or more.
The TDI model, as it's called, was planned to be offered with a new direct-shift gearbox (DSG). It's essentially an "automated manual" transmission that's getting lots of attention—and buyers—in Europe.
Yes, 5 cylindersFew vehicles in the U.S. have engines with an odd number of cylinders. Most engines use even numbers: 4 cylinders, 6, 8, even 12.
One reason is the concern of many auto engineers that engines with odd numbers of cylinders can have balance and vibration issues. But the Jetta's new 2.5-liter inline 5 cylinder runs quite smoothly, and the test cars showed no hint of such problems.
Indeed, a usual band-aid for engine imbalance—balance shafts—isn't necessary for this new engine, according to VW spokesman Patrick Hespen.
The Jetta's new transverse-mounted engine is naturally aspirated—meaning no turbocharging. And connecting rods that are equally positioned at 72 degrees on the engine crankshaft help do away with imbalance issues, Hespen said. Together, the connecting rods and the crankshaft work to convert the reciprocating motion of the engine pistons that go up and down in the engine cylinders into rotary motion that's used by the transmission.
This power plant "is a product of modern technology," Hespen said.
Note that 90 percent of the maximum torque becomes available as low as 1750 rpm, which means it's there when drivers need it for quick acceleration when they're merging into city traffic and for other everyday driving needs, according to VW.
This is not the first 5 cylinder at VW.
Remember the old VW Quantum? Starting in 1984, it had a 2.1-liter 5-cylinder engine producing 100 horses, Hespen said. A year later, the engine went up to 2.2 liters and produced 110 horsepower.
VW's EuroVan arrived in the States in 1992 with a 5 cylinder. The 109-horsepower 2.5-liter engine remained until it was replaced by VW's VR6 engine after 1995, Hespen said.
Today, Swedish carmaker Volvo and America's Chevrolet and GMC are among the few brands that sell vehicles with 5-cylinder engines in the U.S. The 2005 Volvo S40 sedan, for example, is powered by naturally aspirated as well as turbocharged 5-cylinder power plants. The 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck and its twin GMC Canyon come with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter inline 5-cylinder engine as its up-level power plant.
New suspension, more safetyThe ride in the front-wheel-drive Jetta is better than before, thanks to a stiffer chassis, revised independent MacPherson strut front suspension, and rear suspension that uses a multilink design for the first time.
The test Jettas maneuvered competently and comfortably, even in mountain twisties, with the car predictably understeering, or plowing, into corners only when pushed hard.
The 16-inch all-season tires on the test Jetta 2.5 versions seemed less than performance-oriented but kept much road noise away from passengers.
I did have noticeable wind noise in one of the test cars but not in another, and the Jetta's new Servotronic electro-mechanical steering is quite good at helping a driver maintain precise steering direction even if the car is buffeted by a large semi or crosswinds.
The new Jetta has larger brakes than its predecessor—good to have as the base engine power has increased.
Other standard safety features include anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist, traction control and crash-active head restraints for front-seat passengers. These restraints move closer to passengers' heads during a rear crash to help prevent whiplash.
Final pointsRecent Jettas haven't scored high in independent studies on reliability and quality. For example, the Jetta never was among the top three compact cars in J.D. Power and Associates' annual Initial Quality Studies and Durability Studies in recent years. And another independent survey listed the reliability of recent Jettas as subpar.
The sporty, upscale GLI version of Jetta now is considered a separate car model rather than a trim level of Jetta. "The GLI will be a distinct product," said spokesman Tony Fouladpour. It's due to be offered with optional 18-inch wheels and tires.
VW's Jetta wagon continues on into calendar 2006 built on the old Jetta platform, officials said. A new-style Jetta wagon comes later.
Many standard featuresAll Jettas come with a good amount of standard equipment such as air conditioning; cruise control; a tilt and telescoping steering wheel; power windows, outside mirrors and door locks; remote keyless entry and six airbags, including curtain airbags that deploy from the sides of the ceiling and two side airbags mounted in the front seats.
This helps explain why the Jetta's starting price is higher than that of some other small cars. For example, the Honda Civic, the top-selling compact car in the United States, started around $13,000 for a 2005 sedan, and Chevrolet's new-for-2005 Cobalt compact sedan started at less than $14,000 for a sedan when the new Jetta was introduced.
The 2005 Civic sedan did not offer curtain airbags, and these bags were optional on the 2005 Cobalt. In addition, the Jetta is one of the few small cars to include a telescoping steering wheel to help drivers better position themselves in their seats.
But I still wish VW, which knows its Jetta has been a younger person's car, had a full complement of fun, optional features available. For example, there was no iPod integrator for this new Jetta at its launch, and buyers wanting a navigation system were told to wait until 2006.
Interior still a hallmarkThe Jetta's interior remains a standout. There's a sense of organization and craftsmanship, both in the layout of the controls and the use of materials, that isn't found in many affordable small cars. Even the new Jetta's ceiling has up-level, textured material like you'd find in a luxury car. And the dashboard's plastic covering doesn't look cheap.
Check out the glove box and you'll find it's lined with a soft, almost velvet-like material, and the owner's manual sits in its own, out-of-the-way slot.
Seats are supportive and well-designed for a lot of travel time. In fact, I liked the "leatherette" fake leather on the seats of one of the Jetta test cars as much as I liked the other seat coverings. The leatherette was perforated and had well-aligned stitching trimming the seats.
New base engineThe Jetta has a new, more powerful base gasoline engine. It's a 2.5-liter double overhead cam 5 cylinder capable of 150 horsepower, up considerably from the 115-horsepower 2.0-liter 4 cylinder that was in the previous Jetta. Torque has increased too, from 122 lb-ft to 170 lb-ft at 3750 rpm.
The change was needed to get the Jetta competitive in the compact sedan segment, where cars like the Nissan Sentra can generate 165 horsepower and 175 lb-ft at 4000 rpm from a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine.
The new-generation Jetta test cars had good get up and go as I merged into city traffic and onto highways. The extra "oomph" when I passed cars on two-lane roads was noticeable, too.
The transmission in the testers was the new 6-speed automatic—up from 5 speeds in the previous Jetta—and shifts were smooth, except when I used the shift-it-yourself Tiptronic mode and shift points could be noticed.
In addition, the Tiptronic had a mind of its own and regularly upshifted and downshifted for me even when I wanted sportier, later shifts.
If you really want to control the shifts yourself, opt for the 5-speed manual.
The gasoline requirement for the Jetta 2.5 is regular unleaded. The Jetta's 14.5-gallon fuel tank is larger than the 13.2-gallon tanks in the Civic and Corolla. The larger tank is needed, since the Jetta weighs a few hundred pounds more than the two competitors and doesn't have as high a fuel economy rating.
Indeed, the test 2005 Jetta 2.5 model with automatic transmission was rated at 22 miles a gallon in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway, or a combined 26 mpg, which is about mid-pack among compact cars.
VW's carryover 100-horsepower 1.9-liter inline turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine will be in the new Jetta line, too, officials said. It was expected to have much better fuel economy rating of a combined 40 mpg or more.
The TDI model, as it's called, was planned to be offered with a new direct-shift gearbox (DSG). It's essentially an "automated manual" transmission that's getting lots of attention—and buyers—in Europe.
Yes, 5 cylindersFew vehicles in the U.S. have engines with an odd number of cylinders. Most engines use even numbers: 4 cylinders, 6, 8, even 12.
One reason is the concern of many auto engineers that engines with odd numbers of cylinders can have balance and vibration issues. But the Jetta's new 2.5-liter inline 5 cylinder runs quite smoothly, and the test cars showed no hint of such problems.
Indeed, a usual band-aid for engine imbalance—balance shafts—isn't necessary for this new engine, according to VW spokesman Patrick Hespen.
The Jetta's new transverse-mounted engine is naturally aspirated—meaning no turbocharging. And connecting rods that are equally positioned at 72 degrees on the engine crankshaft help do away with imbalance issues, Hespen said. Together, the connecting rods and the crankshaft work to convert the reciprocating motion of the engine pistons that go up and down in the engine cylinders into rotary motion that's used by the transmission.
This power plant "is a product of modern technology," Hespen said.
Note that 90 percent of the maximum torque becomes available as low as 1750 rpm, which means it's there when drivers need it for quick acceleration when they're merging into city traffic and for other everyday driving needs, according to VW.
This is not the first 5 cylinder at VW.
Remember the old VW Quantum? Starting in 1984, it had a 2.1-liter 5-cylinder engine producing 100 horses, Hespen said. A year later, the engine went up to 2.2 liters and produced 110 horsepower.
VW's EuroVan arrived in the States in 1992 with a 5 cylinder. The 109-horsepower 2.5-liter engine remained until it was replaced by VW's VR6 engine after 1995, Hespen said.
Today, Swedish carmaker Volvo and America's Chevrolet and GMC are among the few brands that sell vehicles with 5-cylinder engines in the U.S. The 2005 Volvo S40 sedan, for example, is powered by naturally aspirated as well as turbocharged 5-cylinder power plants. The 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck and its twin GMC Canyon come with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter inline 5-cylinder engine as its up-level power plant.
New suspension, more safetyThe ride in the front-wheel-drive Jetta is better than before, thanks to a stiffer chassis, revised independent MacPherson strut front suspension, and rear suspension that uses a multilink design for the first time.
The test Jettas maneuvered competently and comfortably, even in mountain twisties, with the car predictably understeering, or plowing, into corners only when pushed hard.
The 16-inch all-season tires on the test Jetta 2.5 versions seemed less than performance-oriented but kept much road noise away from passengers.
I did have noticeable wind noise in one of the test cars but not in another, and the Jetta's new Servotronic electro-mechanical steering is quite good at helping a driver maintain precise steering direction even if the car is buffeted by a large semi or crosswinds.
The new Jetta has larger brakes than its predecessor—good to have as the base engine power has increased.
Other standard safety features include anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist, traction control and crash-active head restraints for front-seat passengers. These restraints move closer to passengers' heads during a rear crash to help prevent whiplash.
Final pointsRecent Jettas haven't scored high in independent studies on reliability and quality. For example, the Jetta never was among the top three compact cars in J.D. Power and Associates' annual Initial Quality Studies and Durability Studies in recent years. And another independent survey listed the reliability of recent Jettas as subpar.
The sporty, upscale GLI version of Jetta now is considered a separate car model rather than a trim level of Jetta. "The GLI will be a distinct product," said spokesman Tony Fouladpour. It's due to be offered with optional 18-inch wheels and tires.
VW's Jetta wagon continues on into calendar 2006 built on the old Jetta platform, officials said. A new-style Jetta wagon comes later.
The 2008 Accord is a roomier, more powerful, front-wheel-drive sedan and coupe with richer looks, more features, safety improvements, detailed special touches and a pleasing ride.
It's also pricier. Starting retail price now is $20,360 for a sedan with four-cylinder engine and manual transmission. This compares with $18,625 for a base, 2007 Accord sedan with four cylinder and manual. Accord coupe prices increased, too, with the lowest starting retail price now at $21,860. This contrasts with $20,475 for a base 2007 Accord coupe. The lowest-priced, 2008 Accord with V6 is a sedan with automatic and a starting retail price of $25,960.
It's also pricier. Starting retail price now is $20,360 for a sedan with four-cylinder engine and manual transmission. This compares with $18,625 for a base, 2007 Accord sedan with four cylinder and manual. Accord coupe prices increased, too, with the lowest starting retail price now at $21,860. This contrasts with $20,475 for a base 2007 Accord coupe. The lowest-priced, 2008 Accord with V6 is a sedan with automatic and a starting retail price of $25,960.
The reason for the price increases is primarily new, additional equipment, and the elimination of the lowest-priced Accord, the Value Package (VP). All 2008 Accords come with standard steering-wheel-mounted controls, anti-whiplash front-seat head restraints and electronic stability control. The new, safer head restraints weren't offered in the predecessor Accord, and stability control and steering-wheel controls used to be available only on upper-trim models. The Accord's standard side-curtain airbags also are more sophisticated, with new two-chamber units that can stay deployed longer than before.
But what hasn't changed in the 5-passenger Accord is its aura of durability and quality, which are the primary purchase reasons for those oh-so-loyal buyers. In a pre-sale consumer showing of the 2008 Accord, Honda officials found people praised perceived quality, and some expressed that they thought the new Accord looks more prestigious than what they'd expect from the Honda brand.
This probably won't hurt sales of the Accord, a model that's been among the five best-selling cars in the U.S. for more than 20 years. In fact, by the end of 2007, total U.S. sales of Accords should top 10 million, surpassing such well-known nameplates as the Toyota Camry and Ford Taurus.
Accord Grows BiggerThough perhaps not obvious at first glance, the new Accord is the largest iteration yet. In fact, my 6-foot-tall husband and I (5'4") didn't even rub elbows as we sat in the Accord sedan's front seats and shared the now-enlarged center armrest/storage console lid.
Another growth indicator is that the 2008 Accord sedan is now classified as a "Large" car, according to the interior volume rankings of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The 2007 Accord sedan was—like its direct competitors, the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima—ranked as a "Midsize."
Don't fret that the Accord four door now is the size of a Lincoln Town Car. Far from it. The 2008 Accord's 106 cubic feet of passenger volume just tips the sedan into the "Large" class for the first time. The midsize Camry has 101.4 cubic feet of passenger compartment volume, while Toyota's "large" Avalon has 106.9 cubic feet. If you want a cozier ride in a midsize sedan, try the Mazda6, whose passenger volume is 96.1 cubic feet.
The new Accord coupe is a bit smaller inside than the Accord sedan and its 104.1 cubic feet of passenger volume increased just 0.1 cubic feet over the 2007 Accord coupe.
How did the Accord sedan get larger? Three inches were added to the overall length, with an extra inch added to the width. The new Accord sedan is now nearly 5 inches longer than a Camry, and 4.3 inches longer than Nissan's Altima.
Fuel-capacity is up 1.4 gallons to match the Camry's 18.5-gallon gas tank, but the sedan's trunk space remains the same at a generous 14 cubic feet (which will accommodate four golf bags). With trunk room remaining static, you can probably guess the passenger compartment received the gains from the increased dimensions.
Rear legroom has grown from last year's 36.8 inches to 37.2, and there are 2 more inches of hip-room in the front seats than there were last year. This also means there are 2 more inches of front-seat hip-room in the Accord sedan than in the Camry, though the Camry has a half inch more rear-seat legroom.
The best part of the 2008 Accord is that it doesn't drive like a large car. With a double-wishbone suspension up front and a new multilink suspension replacing the rear's previous double-wishbone setup, the new Accord maintains an agile, easy-to-drive feeling. One of the few nits is that the turning circle has jumped slightly, to 37 feet, from the 2007 sedan's 36.1 feet.
Honda engineers were stingy about adding weight to the new Accord, because weight lowers fuel mileage. The base 2008 Accord sedan weighs only 89 pounds more than its 2007 counterpart. And the base, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, now with 177 horsepower (compared to last year's 166 horses), has a fuel economy rating that's scarcely changed.
According to Honda's preliminary estimates, the best government mileage rating for a 2008 Accord is with the 4-cylinder engine mated to the 5-speed manual transmission: 22 city /31 hwy mpg. This is nearly the same as last year's less-powerful, 4-cylinder manual-tranny Accord, which would have rated 23/31 mpg if the 2008 government mileage calculations were used (the federal government is lowering fuel mileage ratings of virtually all vehicles in 2008 because a new, more stringent fuel-usage formula is employed).
The story is even better for the 2008 Accord with its new, larger displacement, 3.5-liter V6. With 268 horsepower, this is the most powerful engine ever offered in a Honda. But despite the power increase, the 2008 Accord V6 has a preliminary government mileage rating of 19/29 mpg for the sedan equipped with a 5-speed automatic. This surpasses the rating of the less powerful, 3.0-liter 2007 Accord V6 automatic (18/26 mpg) under the new 2008 government calculations.
The noteworthy fuel mileage figures for the i-VTEC V6 derive from a variable engine cylinder management system that lets the engine operate on six, four or even three cylinders, depending on driver needs, terrain, etc. A first for Honda on a nonhybrid production car, the variable cylinder management is available only with the Accord's 5-speed automatic transmission. Note that Honda's Odyssey minivan has had variable cylinder management in its V6 before the arrival of the 2008 Accord. But the Odyssey V6 was only able to adjust from six cylinders to three.
Still, while some consumers no doubt will wish for a smaller Accord with even higher fuel economy, Honda officials tried to "achieve accord" by balancing a roomier car with fuel efficiency.
The Tacoma is Toyota’s compact truck that is in its sixth generation. Available in Regular Cab, Access Cab and 4-door Double Cab configurations, the Tacoma was last redesigned for the 2005 model year.
Toyota began making a name for itself with cars in America in the 1970s, but has been selling compact pickups here since introducing its "Stout" model in 1964. Those pickups have a reputation for quality and ruggedness, and Toyota's 2005 Tacoma should enhance it.
The redesigned eighth-generation Tacoma is larger, roomier, smoother and more refined, with additional power and safety features. It replaces a rather dated Tacoma model that, nevertheless, has been one of Toyota's best-selling vehicles, accounting for 10 percent of U.S. sales.
Toyota began making a name for itself with cars in America in the 1970s, but has been selling compact pickups here since introducing its "Stout" model in 1964. Those pickups have a reputation for quality and ruggedness, and Toyota's 2005 Tacoma should enhance it.
The redesigned eighth-generation Tacoma is larger, roomier, smoother and more refined, with additional power and safety features. It replaces a rather dated Tacoma model that, nevertheless, has been one of Toyota's best-selling vehicles, accounting for 10 percent of U.S. sales.
The new Tacoma technically is a compact pickup, although it shares the frame of a rugged midsize Toyota sport utility sold in foreign markets. That component helps provide a ride free of creaks and body shivers. There also are lots of sound-absorbing materials, which contribute to the Tacoma's refined nature.
Check Garage Length
However, potential Tacoma buyers should check the length of their garages because certain versions of this pickup essentially have become midsize trucks; the Double Cab — or "crew cab" — version is nearly as long as a big Chevrolet Avalanche crew cab model at 221.3 inches, although the Tacoma Regular Cab two-door is only 190.4 inches long. The step-in is rather high on all versions.
Compact pickup trucks were very popular among young drivers a few decades ago, when they weren't especially refined. But they were cheap to buy, operate and insure — and were substitute "sports cars," when regular sports cars had become too dated or costly for young motorists. Moreover, compact pickups were easy to modify with items such as custom wheels and killer sound systems. In fact, high performance pickup trucks are popular again with young males.
Tacomas range from a Base rear-wheel-drive model with a fairly strong 4-cylinder engine and manual gearbox to the top-line Double Cab crew cab version with 4-wheel drive, potent V6 and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Many Versions
There are nearly 20 versions of the Tacoma, with base prices ranging between $13,415 and $25,250. A racy new one is the $23,110 X-Runner, which is aimed expressly at young males.
The X-Runner has a specially lowered and tuned chassis, frame-stiffening X brace for better handling, stronger brakes and items such as a hood scoop and extra-wide tires on 18-inch wheels. It comes only with a 6-speed manual gearbox and does 0-60 mph in less than 7 seconds with the Tacoma's new 245-horsepower V6.
Toyota anticipates that the Tacoma Double Cab will be especially popular because it has a comfortable car-like rear seat and four conventional side doors that help allow easy entry and exit.
Variety of Engines and Transmissions
The Tacoma is powered by a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine with 164 horsepower or the 4.0-liter V6, which replaces a smaller 190-horsepower V6. Both engines have a new electronic throttle control system said to improve performance and fuel economy. Maximum towing capacity with the V6 and a towing package jumps 1,500 pounds to 6,500 pounds.
The V6 provides fast acceleration in all versions and works with an exceptionally responsive 5-speed automatic transmission. Other Tacoma transmissions are a slick 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic for the 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual for the V6.
The best estimated fuel economy is provided by the 4-cylinder engine with rear-wheel drive and 5-speed manual transmission: 21 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. The V6 with the automatic provides 18 and 22 — or 17 and 21 with 4-wheel drive.
Anti-lock brakes are newly standard on all Tacomas, and you can get an optional skid control system on all except the X-Runner.
Off-Road Prowess
Tacomas come with rear- or 4-wheel drive and have good off-road abilities with the 4-wheel-drive system and the newly optional locking rear differential. That system shouldn't be left engaged on dry roads but has low-range gearing for tough off-road use. There's also a downhill assist control designed to maintain a slow speed down steep slopes.
The new Tacoma is exceptionally competitive and — more than ever — is among the best pickup truck buys.
Sunday, Aug. 17, began as a typically foggy morning on the Monterey Peninsula, and the day proved unseasonably cold. But for Jon and Mary Shirley of Medina, Wash., the day could not have been brighter as they took Best of Show honors with their 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the annual collector car show and competition held on the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B was a prestigious grand touring car in the 1930s, and the Shirleys’ car is one of only six privately commissioned Berlinettas. Finished in a deep dark blue, the sleek Alfa Romeo coupe is built for speed with louvers in the hood that extend into the cowl, cooling slots in the rear fender skirts, and a powerful supercharged straight-8 engine that also powered Alfa Romeo Grand Prix race cars at the time.
“This car has an intriguing history,” said Jon Shirley. “It won the first race at Watkins Glen in 1948, and though the car’s been driven quite a bit, it’s never been wrecked. I’ve always been an Alfa fan, so winning at Pebble Beach just doesn’t get much better. I can’t wait to take it back on the road real soon.”
Each year the Best of Show award goes to the car from the pool of class winners that receives the most votes from a distinguished panel of automotive judges. This year, from the 26 different classes, the judges chose as the other finalists the 1934 Packard 1108 LeBaron Sport Phaeton owned by the Nethercutt Collection -- Jack & Helen Nethercutt, Sylmar, Calif., and the 1935 Hispano Suiza K6 Brandone Cabriolet owned by Sam & Emily Mann of Englewood, N.J.
“It takes an amazing level of elegance for a closed car like this Alfa to win here,” said Concours Chairwoman Sandra Kasky Button. “It requires the ultimate in style, grace and proportion. This car has all of that. It has exquisite lines, balance and all of the excitement that only an 8C Alfa can provide.”
Early in the morning, the typical Pebble Beach fog was so thick that competitors were constantly wiping moisture off the cars. The fog eventually lifted, leaving a cloudy, cool day for more than 200 competitors from 27 states and 12 countries.
"The Pebble Beach Concours has truly become 'the world's concours,'" said Button. "In addition to enthusiasts, sponsors and media from around the globe, this year we welcomed exotic, historic vehicles from as far away as Hong Kong, Monaco, Germany and Brazil."
Tonight Show host and regular Concours participant Jay Leno brought his 1953 Chrysler “tank car, powered by a 20+-liter tank engine. In addition, Leno helped raffle cars, diamond jewelry and Rolex watches. Total proceeds from raffles, auctions, sponsorships and gate receipts helped contribute more than $1 million to charity for the third consecutive year.
Leno raised $28,000 during the awards presentation by auctioning VIP tickets to "The Tonight Show," along with a personally guided tour of his garage, which houses an extensive car collection.
“The Pebble Beach Concours happens every year on the third Sunday in August, blending automotive design, craftsmanship and history,” said Button. “And the best news of all, with the $1 million-plus we raised for our charities this year, the Pebble Beach Concours has now contributed well over $11 million during the event’s history.”
Most Elegant Awards
The Best of Show trophy at Pebble Beach is the prize most coveted by the heavy hitters of the car collecting hobby. Second only to Best of Show are the Elegance Awards, presented to the most elegant car in four different categories.
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B was a prestigious grand touring car in the 1930s, and the Shirleys’ car is one of only six privately commissioned Berlinettas. Finished in a deep dark blue, the sleek Alfa Romeo coupe is built for speed with louvers in the hood that extend into the cowl, cooling slots in the rear fender skirts, and a powerful supercharged straight-8 engine that also powered Alfa Romeo Grand Prix race cars at the time.
“This car has an intriguing history,” said Jon Shirley. “It won the first race at Watkins Glen in 1948, and though the car’s been driven quite a bit, it’s never been wrecked. I’ve always been an Alfa fan, so winning at Pebble Beach just doesn’t get much better. I can’t wait to take it back on the road real soon.”
Each year the Best of Show award goes to the car from the pool of class winners that receives the most votes from a distinguished panel of automotive judges. This year, from the 26 different classes, the judges chose as the other finalists the 1934 Packard 1108 LeBaron Sport Phaeton owned by the Nethercutt Collection -- Jack & Helen Nethercutt, Sylmar, Calif., and the 1935 Hispano Suiza K6 Brandone Cabriolet owned by Sam & Emily Mann of Englewood, N.J.
“It takes an amazing level of elegance for a closed car like this Alfa to win here,” said Concours Chairwoman Sandra Kasky Button. “It requires the ultimate in style, grace and proportion. This car has all of that. It has exquisite lines, balance and all of the excitement that only an 8C Alfa can provide.”
Early in the morning, the typical Pebble Beach fog was so thick that competitors were constantly wiping moisture off the cars. The fog eventually lifted, leaving a cloudy, cool day for more than 200 competitors from 27 states and 12 countries.
"The Pebble Beach Concours has truly become 'the world's concours,'" said Button. "In addition to enthusiasts, sponsors and media from around the globe, this year we welcomed exotic, historic vehicles from as far away as Hong Kong, Monaco, Germany and Brazil."
Tonight Show host and regular Concours participant Jay Leno brought his 1953 Chrysler “tank car, powered by a 20+-liter tank engine. In addition, Leno helped raffle cars, diamond jewelry and Rolex watches. Total proceeds from raffles, auctions, sponsorships and gate receipts helped contribute more than $1 million to charity for the third consecutive year.
Leno raised $28,000 during the awards presentation by auctioning VIP tickets to "The Tonight Show," along with a personally guided tour of his garage, which houses an extensive car collection.
“The Pebble Beach Concours happens every year on the third Sunday in August, blending automotive design, craftsmanship and history,” said Button. “And the best news of all, with the $1 million-plus we raised for our charities this year, the Pebble Beach Concours has now contributed well over $11 million during the event’s history.”
Most Elegant Awards
The Best of Show trophy at Pebble Beach is the prize most coveted by the heavy hitters of the car collecting hobby. Second only to Best of Show are the Elegance Awards, presented to the most elegant car in four different categories.
The 1934 Packard 1108 LeBaron Sport Phaeton owned by the Nethercutt Collection -- Jack & Helen Nethercutt, Sylmar, Calif., was recognized as the most elegant open-top car.
The J.B. and Dorothy Nethercutt Most Elegant Closed Car trophy went to the Best of Show winner, the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta owned by Jon & Mary Shirley of Medina, Wash.
A 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500SS Pinin Farina Cabriolet, owned by Larry Klein of Santa Rosa, Calif., earned the Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible Award.
The Strother MacMinn Most Elegant Sports Car Trophy was bestowed upon a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Scaglietti Spyder California.
The 59th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will be held on Aug.16, 2009, with Bentley and Bugatti designated as the official marques.
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